March 13, 2025

PFAS on Cape Cod – Connecting Communities with Science for Solutions

This webinar series will provide community members, health professionals, and policymakers with up-to-date research, practical solutions, and an opportunity to engage directly with experts. Each one-hour webinar will include presentations and a live Q&A, with recordings available on the STEEP website for those unable to attend.

Upcoming Webinars

Webinar #3: PFAS in Cape Cod Drinking Water and Community Health Concerns
Date: Thursday, September 18, 2025
Time: Noon – 1:00 PM (ET)
Location: Online Webinar
Register using this link

Join us for Webinar #3 in the PFAS on Cape Cod – Connecting Communities with Science for Solutions series. This session will explore PFAS contamination in Cape Cod’s drinking water and the resulting community health concerns. Presenters will share recent research findings, discuss public health impacts, and highlight ongoing efforts to inform and protect local residents.

Featured Speakers:

  • Laurel Schaider, PhD, is a Senior Scientist at Silent Spring Institute and a lead researcher with the STEEP Superfund Research Program. Dr. Schaider will present recent findings on PFAS in drinking water supplies across Cape Cod and the implications for environmental health.
  • Cheryl Osimo, Executive Director of the Massachusetts Breast Cancer Coalition and Cape Cod Coordinator for Silent Spring Institute, will speak about community outreach efforts and how local residents can take action to reduce exposure and advocate for safer water systems.
  • Emily Diamond, PhD (moderator), Associate Professor of Communication Studies and Marine Affairs, University of Rhode Island. Dr. Diamond studies how science communication influences public understanding and policy support. She focuses on improving dialogue between scientists, communities, and decision-makers on complex environmental issues.

This webinar continues our focus on connecting scientific research with actionable information for community members, policymakers, and health professionals. A live Q&A will follow the presentations.

Past Webinars

Webinar #2: Addressing PFAS Contamination in Water and Fish

Date: Thursday, April 17, 2025
Time: Noon – 1:00 PM (ET)
View Webinar

Join us for Webinar #2 in this series, focusing on PFAS contamination in Cape Cod’s surface waters and fish. Heidi Pickard, PhD will share findings from her recent research on PFAS accumulation in fish near Joint Base Cape Cod and how firefighting foam (AFFF), septic systems, and agricultural runoff contribute to contamination. Mark Ells, Barnstable Town Manager, will discuss local government strategies to mitigate PFAS in Cape Cod’s water resources and protect public health. This will be a moderated discussion followed by a Q&A session.

Featured Speakers:

  • Heidi Pickard is a Lead Consultant at Ramboll with over a decade of experience researching PFAS. She recently completed a PhD and postdoctoral fellowship in Environmental Engineering at Harvard and was a former STEEP trainee. Her research focused on how human-released contaminants affect ecosystems and expertise includes fate and transport, environmental forensics.
  • Mark Ells is the Town Manager of Barnstable, MA, with nearly 30 years of experience in local government. He began his career in the Department of Public Works, later serving as Director and then Assistant Town Manager before stepping into his current leadership role. Mr. Ells plays a key role in addressing PFAS contamination in Cape Cod’s water resources, leading local government efforts on mitigation strategies, community response, and regulatory measures to protect public health.
  • Moderator:
    • Laurel Schaider, STEEP Researcher and Senior Scientist at the Silent Spring Institute, whose work focuses on PFAS and environmental health.

 

Webinar #1: Household Exposures and Community Solutions

Date: Wednesday, March 20, 2025
Time: Noon – 1:00 PM (ET)
View Webinar

Join us for an engaging discussion on the latest research examining household exposures to PFAS and other harmful chemicals in consumer products. Learn how communities are taking action to reduce these exposures and protect public health.

Featured Speakers:

  • Rainer Lohmann, Professor at the University of Rhode Island and Director of STEEP, will present recent research findings on the presence of PFAS in household environments and everyday products.
  • Chris Powicki, Chair of the Sierra Club Cape Cod & the Islands Group, will share community-driven initiatives and policy efforts aimed at reducing PFAS contamination and empowering residents to minimize their exposure.

Moderator:

  • Laurel Schaider, STEEP Researcher and Senior Scientist at the Silent Spring Institute, whose work focuses on PFAS and environmental health.